The Best Burgers in Alaska (2026)

The best burgers in Alaska are mostly in Anchorage, with standout stops in Juneau and Fairbanks. Arctic Roadrunner, serving Anchorage since 1964, is the classic. Tommy's Burger Stop and Alaskan Burger & Brew are the city's top-rated modern picks. In Juneau, the Pucker Wilson's food truck is the burger national food sites named the state's best in 2025.

Below is our roundup, grouped by city. Each spot appeared in 2025-2026 coverage from national food sites or diner-rating roundups. Many Alaska businesses change hours by season, so check before you go.

What makes an Alaska burger

Alaska burgers borrow from the state's seafood and its frontier style. Here's what to look for:

• Halibut and salmon burgers: many burger joints serve fish alongside beef. Arctic Roadrunner's halibut burger is a local favorite. Make your own with our salmon burger recipe.
• Big, loaded burgers: stacked toppings like deli meats, bacon and onion rings are common in Anchorage's classic shops.
• Food trucks: in Juneau and other tourist towns, some of the best burgers come from trucks that keep seasonal hours.

Anchorage

• Arctic Roadrunner: started by Richard Sanchis in 1964. It's now down to one location, on the Old Seward Highway, with a big central fireplace, rustic Alaskan decor and an outdoor deck over Campbell Creek. Burgers are named after Alaska places like Kodiak and Kenai, and the halibut burger and shakes get frequent praise. A 2026 Tasting Table feature called it a fast-food spot you can't find outside Alaska.
• Tommy's Burger Stop: Foodie.com named it Alaska's best burger joint in a 2026 roundup of all 50 states, and it was one of Anchorage's top-rated burger spots in a 2025 ranking of diner reviews. Go for a creative, made-to-order burger.
• Alaskan Burger & Brew: another top-rated spot on that 2025 Anchorage ranking. It's a good pick for a burger with a local beer.
• Club Paris: an Anchorage steakhouse that also ranks among the city's best-rated burger spots. Go here for a steakhouse-style burger.

Flying in or out through the Lower 48? Our Seattle burger guide covers a common connecting city.

Juneau

• Pucker Wilson's: a Juneau food truck that Tasting Table and Mashed both named as Alaska's best burger in 2025. Tasting Table highlighted the Husky Dawson, and Mashed praised its big, juicy cheeseburgers and occasional over-the-top specials. As with any food truck, check its current location and hours before you go, especially outside the summer cruise season.

Fairbanks

• AK Burger Zone: one of the highest-rated burger spots in Fairbanks in a 2025 ranking of diner reviews.
• C & J Drive In: a Fairbanks drive-in on that same 2025 list. It's a good stop for a quick, classic burger.

Beef or fish? How to choose

Many Alaska burger menus give you a real choice between beef and seafood. Here's how to decide:

• Order beef when you want a classic cheeseburger, a stacked specialty burger or a shake-and-fries meal.
• Order halibut when you want something mild and flaky. It's usually breaded or grilled and served with tartar sauce.
• Order salmon when you want a richer, more distinctive flavor. Ask whether it's a ground patty or a whole fillet on a bun, since menus use the word burger for both.
• Order both if you're with a friend, and split them. It's the best way to see why fish burgers are such a big deal in Alaska.

Tips for eating burgers in Alaska

1. Plan around the seasons. Summer brings long days, more visitors and longer hours. Some places, especially food trucks, cut back in winter.
2. Try the fish. Halibut and salmon burgers are a big part of the local burger tradition, so order one alongside your beef burger.
3. Save Arctic Roadrunner for a nice day. The creekside outdoor seating is part of the experience in summer.
4. Check cruise schedules in Juneau. Lines get long when several ships are in port, so go early or late.
5. Expect higher prices. Shipping costs make most food pricier in Alaska than in the Lower 48.

Make an Alaska-style burger at home

To make a halibut or salmon burger, keep the fish cold, handle it gently and use a binder so the patty holds together. Our guide to keeping burgers from falling apart helps with any patty. Cook fish burgers until the fish is opaque and flakes easily. For beef, our burger grilling guide covers the basics, and the USDA recommends cooking ground beef to 160°F; see our burger temperature guide. If you bring home wild fish or game, our guide to freezing burger patties explains how to store patties well.

Know an Alaska burger we're missing? Suggest a spot, or browse more guides on our best burgers hub.

FAQ

Where is the best burger in Alaska?

It depends on the list. Tasting Table and Mashed picked Pucker Wilson's in Juneau in 2025, and Foodie.com picked Tommy's Burger Stop in Anchorage in 2026. Arctic Roadrunner is the long-running classic.

How long has Arctic Roadrunner been open?

It dates to 1964, when Richard Sanchis started it. Today it operates one Anchorage location, on the Old Seward Highway.

Are halibut burgers common in Alaska?

Yes. Many Alaska burger joints serve halibut or salmon burgers, and Arctic Roadrunner's halibut burger is one of its best-known items.

Where can I get a burger in Fairbanks?

AK Burger Zone and C & J Drive In were both among the city's top-rated burger spots in a 2025 ranking.